3 minute read
Frankie Dettori once again stole the headlines of British Racing when producing King Of Steel to perfection in the QIPCO Champion Stakes.
On a day that had the potential to produce something truly special in both equine and human form, racegoers at Ascot were treated to an absolutely outstanding spectacle in equal parts.
Just under an hour on from Big Rock's scintillating performance in the QEII, racing fans were gearing up to watch Frankie Dettori in the saddle on British soil for one final time.
Having landed the opening Long Distance Cup on Trawlerman, Frankie's luck appeared to have changed when he was agonisingly denied in the Champion Sprint Stakes onboard his favoured Kinross.
One last tilt at Group 1 glory at Ascot awaited. The horse enlisted with the task of providing the Italian maestro with that accomplishment. King Of Steel.
The Roger Varian-trained striking grey had already shown his liking for the Berkshire venue when producing a commanding success in the King Edward VII Stakes at the Royal Meeting.
Subsequent top-class efforts in the King George and Irish Champion Stakes followed and with early morning market leader Mostahdaf a late withdrawal due to the ground, that paved the way for King Of Steel, who was sent off the 3/1 favourite to give Frankie Dettori the send-off he would have been dreaming of.
However, it appeared things were hardly going to plan in the bid for Frankie's fairytale farewell as King Of Steel found himself at the rear of the field.
The pair continued to race at the back of the eight-strong field and King Of Steel would have to pass every rival up the Ascot straight if he was to enter the racing history books. He couldn't? Could he?
Dettori pulled his mount towards the centre of the pack and with a firm target to aim at after Via Sistina struck the front with a furlong to travel, the gap began to close.
King Of Steel continued to eat into the lead of George Boughey's filly and although Via Sistina battled on all the way to the line, Roger Varian's English Derby runner-up was always coming home that little bit stronger, and he swept on by to score by three-quarters of a length.
French raider Horizon Dore finished a further two lengths behind back in third.
Dettori was given the call-up for the ride after AMO Racing's then-retained rider Kevin Stott was sacked by Kia Joorabchian following criticisms of his performance in the Irish Champion Stakes
Speaking to Oli Bell amid the crowds chanting "Ohhhhhh Frankie Dettori", Dettori said: "Absolutely insane, what a day! My last ride but in the Champion Stakes at Ascot, I have to pinch myself.
"I was struggling, I let him find his rhythm, what a superstar - well done to the team. I'm just shocked, incredible honestly. Thank you, everyone, I love you, I'll miss you."
Winning trainer Roger Varian added: "It's a good moment. Hard to say too much. I'd better thank Kia who has backed me this season, delighted for him and delighted for the horse, he's put in a few tremendous efforts and it's great to put a Group One on his CV, delighted for Frankie and the huge team at home putting in masses of work, seven days a week putting up with me. Too many people to thank, I'm going to miss people, but a great moment."
Continuing on Sky Sports Racing, Dettori said: "Emotions are all over the place, I can't believe it. The crowd got this horse over the line, I was doing my best on top but the feeling that I got was incredible; thanks to all of you, you made me win this race and it's fantastic, I love you, a Hollywood script, I love you. I don't know how to feel at the moment, I don't know if it's real or......it was incredible.
"I struggled from the beginning, I couldn't really get him to travel, he was stumbling, and then he started to come good and I got behind Mickael [Barzalona] who I thought was the horse to beat, then I thought Oisin [Murphy] is going pretty good so I got on his tail and when they kicked, they left me a little bit but he just found a second wind, he dug deep and the crowd got behind me and we got him over the line. The last 50 yards yes [I thought I was going to get there] but not until then.
"What a feeling, I thought the first race the crowd was good, but this was another level honestly, it was incredible. A fairytale ending for me, Ascot is my home.".
A memorable trademark flying dismount followed and the crowd continued to cheer. It was a scene on a racecourse that was completely incomparable to anything ever witnessed before. The perfect ride, to produce the perfect send-off.